Lavona Irene (Stetson) Jonas, 90, Rapid City, SD, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born July 1, 1928 to Ershall and Alma (Hagemeister) Stetson in Crawford, NE.  She graduated from Crawford High School in 1945, then moved to Rapid City to attend the National College of Business. She married the love of her life, Robert DeVere Jonas, on December 21, 1947.  They celebrated their 70th anniversary on December 21, 2017.  To this union brought her step-daughter, Nancy, and three daughters, Linda, Roberta (Bobi), and Karen.

In her earlier years, Lavona worked for the City of Rapid City, Buckingham Transportation, and Barber Transportation.  She also worked for the Social Security Administration for nearly 30 years before retiring in 1991. She was a charter member of the Women of the Moose #1221 where she held many positions, as well as the Academy of Friendship, College of Regents, and Star Recorder degrees in the Order.

She enjoyed sewing, crafting, genealogy, attending auctions, baking cakes for weddings and other special occasions, playing bingo, camping with the Boundin' Sammers Camping Club, playing beanbags and shuffleboard, and spending time with family and friends. Lavona was tremendously proud of her family and always welcomed new additions with open arms.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Robert; daughters, Linda (Larry) Mason, Laughlin, NV, Bobi (Doug) Legner, Piedmont, SD, and Karen (Chuck) Rogers, Rancho Cordova, CA; step-daughter, Nancy (Larry) Day, Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren: Taylor Mason, Cassandra (Jason) Hudson, Heather Heinert, Holly (Travis) Gusso, Nikki (Cody) Work, Chas (Rachel) Rogers, Link (Debbie Cooper) Legner, Stacia (Todd) Hallett, Chad (Kristen) Legner, Christopher (Jill) Day, Steven (Lourdes) Day, and Amy (Wayne) Foresman; great-grandchildren: Danielle Carter, Myrissa Owen, Isabel Bryant, Cayden and Eva Heinert, Lilly and Charlie Gusso, Coltin (Greta), Jessica (Cory Auwerter), Sydney, Scotlyn, and Brixton Work, Annabelle Rogers, Gabriel, Trinity, Jude, and Skyler Legner, Jenna, Kelsey, Katelyn, and Spencer Day, Brandon and Nicolas Canino, Matthew, Joshua, and Emma Foresman, great-great-grandchild: Ayven Auwerter, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ershall and Alma Stetson and her sister, Lois Anderson. Visitation will be Monday, July 16, 2018 with family present from 5-7 p.m. There will be a memorial service held Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 1200 Clark St. A luncheon will follow at the Moose Lodge, 841 E. St. Patrick St.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to moosecharities.org or to METAvivor.com for Metastatic Breast Cancer Research.